154
154 pushes Wire towards a broader, colder sound. Guitars and electronics overlap more closely, and the arrangements have a fullness that would have seemed unlikely on Pink Flag. Yet the interest in concise, memorable songs has not disappeared. The album is strongest when those two sides meet, giving a good melody an unsettling setting.
The 15th is a clear highlight. Its bright guitar lines and floating synthesizer support a vocal that is easy to follow without making the song feel ordinary. Map Ref 41 Degrees N 93 Degrees W is similarly inviting, with a large, memorable chorus emerging from the detailed arrangement. Wire can write accessible songs while keeping their odd character intact.
Two People in a Room brings a much sharper attack. The urgent percussion and piercing guitars provide a reminder that this band can still be abrasive and direct. Its short burst of force makes a useful contrast with the slower material, rather than sounding like an attempt to repeat an earlier formula.
A Touching Display moves at the other extreme. It takes its time building a dark, increasingly dense sound, with sustained voices and unsettling instrumental textures. The tension grows without delivering an obvious release.
Not all the experiments are equally rewarding. The changes between approachable songs and more remote passages can make 154 feel uneven, and its chilly production sometimes keeps the emotion at a distance. The strongest melodies cut through that surface, however. Rather than simply adding more sounds, Wire find new relationships between guitars, electronics and voices. The result is demanding but distinctive, with several songs that make a strong case for the band’s pop instincts.
